Govt to let authority decide MPs' expenses

The Government will move decision making on MPs' expenses to an independent body, as recommended by the Law Commission.

The commission has released its review of the Civil List Act which sets out the current framework for deciding salaries, allowances and other entitlements for politicians.

It says the framework is unclear and lacks independence and transparency.

It is recommending the Remuneration Authority which already sets MPs' pay, be expanded, and also take on the job of determining travel, accommodation and communication allowances for MPs and Ministers.

It says MPs need to be adequately supported in their roles, but the system also needs to protect taxpayer's interests.

The commission's outgoing president, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, says there has been a series of mini-scandals around MPs' expenses, and the system needs to change so that it is plain and clear.